If there is one infield position in particular that the Atlanta Braves should target above the others in the 2024 MLB Draft this July, shortstop might just be your answer.
Even despite having notable prospects such as Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Jose Perdomo, among others within the organization, the Braves could still target the position this July to add more middle infield depth to the farm system. This could come as early as the upper rounds of the draft or in the middle.
Should they do so as well, here are three names they should consider in the upper rounds, starting with a top high school name from the state of Alabama.
3 shortstops the Atlanta Braves should target in 2024 MLB Draft
Carter Johnson (Oxford, AL)
We begin in the high school ranks with Johnson, who is likely expected to come off the board at some point in either the back half of the first round or early in the second. Out of Oxford High School in Alabama, Johnson is a commit to the in-state Crimson Tide, and sports tools that grade as average to above-average across the board, headlined by an ability to hit for both contact and power.
Full look at @AlabamaBSB recruit & SS Carter Johnson (@OldGoldBB, 2024) during pre-game I/O.
— Prep Baseball Alabama (@PrepBaseballAL) March 27, 2024
No. 1️⃣ in the 2024 class in Alabama.#ALHS24 || #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/LF8ZfZj0AF
Kyle DeBarge (Louisiana-Lafayette)
The 2024 Sun Belt Player of the Year slashed .356/.418/.699 with 21 homers, 72 RBI, and 10 stolen bases this past season at Louisiana-Lafayette. Kyle DeBarge is an intriguing name to watch for from the collegiate ranks. A player who has a plus hit, run, and arm tool, DeBarge posted a career .959 OPS across his three seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette and should be a shortstop to monitor in the second-to-third rounds.
DeBarge finished second in the Sun Belt Conference in multiple categories including slugging percentage (.699), OPS (1.117), home runs (21), hits (91), and at-bats (256). His 21 home runs set a new single-season record for homers in the school's history.
His surprising pop and quality defense would be a perfect decision for the Atlanta Braves should he be available.
Down to their last strike, Kyle DeBarge with some walk-off heroics against Tulane#GeauxCajuns pic.twitter.com/03qlQPujzk
— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Baseball (@RaginCajunsBSB) June 25, 2024
Colby Shelton (Florida)
We conclude with another player from the collegiate ranks, Colby Shelton, a shortstop at Florida who originally began his collegiate career in 2023 at Alabama as a third baseman. After posting a 1.149 OPS with 25 home runs and 51 RBI at Alabama as a freshman, Shelton had a bit of a down year in 2024 by batting .254 on the season.
However, Shelton still had two overall impressive collegiate seasons in the SEC slashing .275/.394/.630 with 45 homers, 107 RBI, and six stolen bases. He is a nice left-handed bat that could bring some upside to the shortstop position in Atlanta's minor league system.
A position loaded with talent in the 2024 MLB Draft, here are a few others that the Atlanta Braves could target this July at shortstop: Griff O'Ferrall (Virginia), Rustan Rigdon (Metter, GA), and Payton Green (Georgia Tech). Could any of these names end up in the Braves organization soon?
COLBY SHELTON RESPONDS IMMEDIATELY!!!
— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) June 19, 2024
An RBI double off the wall scores Cags and ties the game in the first! pic.twitter.com/0whaXmSejy